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Platform Pedal Shootout, the best flat is...

1M views 2K replies 506 participants last post by  shwinn8 
#1 · (Edited)
Platform Pedal Shootout!

2018 Update for best pedal:


  • high range: Gamut Podium for class, weight, height, uniqueness, aesthetics, performance, size, desirability with roots in the SF Bay Area Point One Racing small CNC operation, 3rd generation design lineage
  • low range: Lixada Y2259B for value, comparable to any VP/HT/Wellgo ultra-thin-light-wide pedal, and an unbeatable value $24-29 shipped to your door from multiple online sources



As a single speed rider, I prefer the simplicity and get on and ride how you come approach. The general rule when it comes to pedals is, if you cant ride with flip flops or jack purcells, your bike is a failure.

Figured I could pop this in any category like singlespeed or 29er but downhill freeride riders are the most renown for rocking platform pedals in even the most intense, dangerous gravity induced situations successfully.

While weight is often shaved and marketed in connection points on the bike (saddle, handlebar, pedals), these are the most important to me to feel solid to the rider. Saving weight elsewhere is a better move 'cause the solid feel equals confidence.

I reviewed four foundational pedals. While all superb pedals, I found the winner of these four - the Sunline V-One platform pedal.

:eekster:

Atomlab Trailking: an innovative design that has been copied by everyone, the 17mm thin crowd got its inspiration from this pedal. Sweet looks, my favorite in the looks department, CNC machined minimal with a fantastic shape and really looks tits mounted to a single speed and is thinnest body of the lot. Due to DU bushings (which are the least desirable), it develops play quite easily, so have a stash of DU bushings for replacements and the problem is solved. Atomlab is good about providing these replacements and they're fast, simple to replace with an allen key. The performance is least of the lot due to pin placement, flat body, and DU bushings - my foot has slipped jumping off street curbs! Studs did rip a number of holes and lines into my shins causing permanent scarring and for the lackluster amount of grip they provide, wasn't worth it. The newer Pimp and Pimplite mag pedals have resolved the DU bushing issue with sealed bearings while staying with a similar shape. 540g pair, $100

Easton Flatboy: a design that is over ten years old! Classic, beefy, concave and grippy. Comes in only ano black, matches your Easton cockpit. A bit boring as the design hasn't changed for decade - meaning the pedal works well! 572g pair, $75

Syncros Mental Stainless Steel: the rawest of the bunch, made of stainless steel versus aluminum like the others. Also like the fact that you dont see rebrands of this pedal 'cause they're so ugly, no one is going to copy them. Random non-bike people will ask you about the pedals. A whopping weight penalty, almost double that of the other pedals, but it's easily justified as these just are the last to break from any ravishing hit or scrape. I treat them badly and they look identical to new. I really like the way these spin and the heaviness works by providing a solid connection to the bike. Lifetime warranty on the bodies to prove it! 800g pair, $80

Sunline V-One: Solved the problems of the Atomlab Trailkings by using loaded sealed bearings, concave body, and added the machined pyramids from the Brooklyn Machine Works Veggie Burgers and notorious Shin Burger pedals. When the stud screws are installed on top of the pyramids, your foot is not slipping, at all. Best grip of the lot. Anodized gunmetal blue titanium to match the Sunline V-One cockpit. Also very close to the Hope Tech X2 Pro Mini carbon fiber edition anodization. 580g pair, $120

MTBR reviews 5 stars for the V-One's: https://content.mtbr.com/cat/drivetrain/pedal/sunline/v-one/PRD_416992_135crx.aspx

:eek:

This shootout comparison test is missing some serious talent, help me fill that in, MTBR members!



Shimano DX, Straitline, Burgtec Penthouse, Odyssey Trailmix, DMR V12, NYC Freeride Glory Hole...



Brooklyn Machine Works (CNC) Veggie Burger: Brooklyn Machine Works Veggie Burgers Pedal user reviews : 5 out of 5 - 26 reviews - mtbr.com

Canfield Brothers Crampon: Canfield Crampons 6 month review = they are solid- Mtbr.com

Point One Racing Podium: Point One Racing Podium Pedals short review- Mtbr.com



Answer Rove FR, Nukeproof Proton, Deity Decoy and the lot of re-branded HT Components (Taiwan) pedals. Hey, if you can get the HT originals for fifty bones with titanium spindles at under 300g, who's to say?... :rolleyes:



:madmax:
 
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#1,056 ·
I've been riding eggbeaters for a while, but i didn't feel entirely comfortable attempting certain tricks clipped in. I do feel generally comfortable in them, but i do think that i have picked up bad body movement habits from relying on them for bunny hopping and other tricks.

Now that i am looking to learn how to manual and other fun stuntz ;) I have reviewed this entire thread. whew That out of the way i can say that it looks like any of those listed P1's, CCU, and SP sound pretty good. I am leaning toward the CCUs, but i don't have the money just yet. I did take a close look at the Flypaper pedals and i wish some of those were around, but what is available looks very good too.

thanks to all the contributors to this thread. When i get some flat pedals i will report back to the forums with my views.
 
#1,057 ·
Hello all!

I've opened up a topic regarding flat pedals as I need some advice on this.
My budget is at around 40$, so what would you recommend me? I've been looking over at Wellgo's as they seem to have the best bang for the buck options. V12 or MG1 seems to have pretty good reviews, but I can also see they have some CNC ones.

I'm not doing any hardcore stuff with them, I just want a grippier pedal than my current stock ones and I don't like clipless. Please enlighten me. You can reply on my topic too to avoid confusion on this one: http://forums.mtbr.com/beginners-corner/help-deciding-flat-pedals-my-mtb-837963.html

Thank you all in advance.
 
#1,063 ·
Been on the same Point One Podiums for a while, it'll be 3yrs in June and the grip with 5.10's is superb. They are in my opinion the best pedals out there, and I've had some of the others mentioned in this thread, including the DMR Vaults which I currently have on one of my bikes. The Vaults are pretty damn good as well but if had the coin at the time I would've gotten another pair of Podiums.
 
#1,065 ·
eurospek I have not had any issues with bearings on the Podiums, and as far as the Vaults I can't speak to the durability yet as I have only had them a month and been out on them twice due to weather. You do notice the size difference between the two pedals, I still prefer the feel of the Podiums though. Once the snow melts I'll give em' a proper critique.
 
#1,066 ·
I posted this in the Shimano Saints pedal thread, too. I just got a pair after doing a bunch of reading and research. I've only been able to get out once with them so far as they are brand new, but my first impression was great. I took all of the washers off, so I'm running the pins in the "long" configuration. I wear 5-10 shoes, and the grip was great. I like the durable sounding design of the pedal -- a strong chromoly axle and real bearings in- and outboard (no outboard bushings). My only problem is that I'd like to have extra pins onhand when the time comes to replace one that gets broken. I can't find any info or a source online. Anyone have a source or advice?
 
#1,072 ·
#1,078 ·
#1,083 ·
My shoe size is an european 42 (or 11,5 in USA).
Must be a typo, because those sizes aren't the same on this chart.

Either way, MG-1 have been favored by the weight conscious budget minded folks for years.

If you want much more durability (and very likely comfort) at the expense of some weight and money, then take a hard look at Shimano Saint (PD-MX80). They are unrivaled for value I think.

PS
I wasn't aware of the 2 previous posts until I posted this one )
 
#1,082 ·
Pedro, a Euro 42 is an 8.5 American, not 11.5. Most Americans are about a size 10. So you have a smaller than average foot size. (International Shoe Size Conversion Charts/Converter Tables for Shoes Sizes)

To answer your question, an MG1 should be ok. If you are just buying pedals for the first time, I would get something that seems to be a durable and inexpensive pedal. The MG1's are fine, but there are many other choices. If you want something that sticks to your feet, make sure it has threaded set screws (looks like a machine screw pointing upwards). I would avoid anything with smooth pins, like the older Crank Bros, and Straitline. For what it is worth, I think the new Shimano Saint pedals are probably the lowest cost, high performance pedals out there. If I didn't own Point1 Racing pedals, I would get those. I think they may be out of your price range though.
 

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#1,085 ·
I apologize. I've used a table too, but looks like I looked at the wrong place...
I am buying pedals for the first time and I do not want to spend too much money on this (>60$); all i need is better grip and a good-overhaul pedal. I've read that thin pedals are more important than light pedals and the size is pretty important too. Also important to know is that I dont do DH - I just ride in light gravel and a lot in the road as well.
I've taken a look at the shimano and I can see they are great value for the money, but still...I don't want to spend that much in a pedal right now. I prefer to save some $ to also get better shoes for this.
All things considered, I think MG1 is the right choice for me.

Must be a typo, because those sizes aren't the same on this chart.

Either way, MG-1 have been favored by the weight conscious budget minded folks for years.

If you want much more durability (and very likely comfort) at the expense of some weight and money, then take a hard look at Shimano Saint (PD-MX80). They are unrivaled for value I think.

PS
I wasn't aware of the 2 previous posts until I posted this one )
Thanks for your input. I liked the consistent comment on the PD-MX80. :) As I've said above, they are a bit over my budget.
You say the MG1 are favored by the weight conscious budget minded people, but the weight isn't really my concern at all, as I've mentioned above.

Now just a few questions: I've also learnt that concave pedals will provide comfort in longer rides... The MG1 is totally flat, right? How much really is "longer" rides? I usually ride for 1h30 or 2h...not that much. Also, the only MG1 pedal that has no paint at all (I've seen it gets scuffed really easily due to magnesium's softness) is the silver one, right? I'm asking this because I can see "Titanium" color in eBay as well. Too bad wellgo's official website is still under construction as I would like to get real official info on their products.

Once again, thank you for your feedback.
 
#1,084 ·
Hm, I totally get avoiding Crank Bros but why Straitlines? I run the De Factos on one bike and they are awesome. The Amps that I have on another bike are not as grippy (fewer pins), but still good. I guess expensive because of the weight savings, I use them for xc.

Anyway, just installed e.13 lg1+ and while they are not light, I really like them. Maybe even more so than the Straitlines - but this may be partly because they are new :)
 
#1,086 ·
For 2 hour rides, you'll most likely be able to get away with flat shape, if the platform area is sufficient. But the slightly concave shape (of Shimano flats, for example) is felt and appreciated immediately as you begin the ride.

I rode a lot with PD-MX30, and liked them so much for the shape and durability. Not so much for thickness, weight and grub screw pins, however. Now that PD-MX80 have been improved in all these areas.. I would be riding them without any second thoughts, but I bought a pair of steel-axle AMPs at a good price before the 80s were released.
 
#1,101 ·
2mm longer pins on Saint. grip = brutal. i think 1mm longer than original would also be big improvement. M4/10mm is also much more grippy than original with 8.5mm full length.

View attachment 773837
Where can you buy those longer pins, MiLi...or even the original 8.5mm length ones? I called Shimano about they originals and they said they're back ordered until late March (and probably real expensive on a per pin basis). I checked with several Internet suppliers of bolts, and they all said they don't stock anything like these (fully threaded, but with two different diameters, in metric sizes). They called it a "shoulder bolt," but that's about as far as I got. Ideas?
 
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